Children are being buried before they have a chance to live
The unfolding situation in Gaza is beyond catastrophic. Since the violence escalated in October 2023, tens of thousands have been killed and injured. During May 2025, in just two days alone, at least 45 children were reportedly killed – having to go hungry day after day, only to be victims of indiscriminate attacks.
For 11 weeks, lifesaving humanitarian aid was blocked from entering Gaza – a complete violation of international humanitarian law. During this time, hunger and malnutrition intensified sharply, reversing the clear humanitarian gains seen during the ceasefire earlier this year. Now, with only a trickle of humanitarian aid allowed in, including one UNICEF truck (as of 20 May 2025) containing nutrition products for children, supplements and baby complementary food, children continue to teether on the brink of starvation.
The world must not look away as children are fighting for survival. Please donate today to help UNICEF continue delivering services in malnutrition, healthcare, education and clean water.
UNICEF is calling for all parties to unconditionally protect children from harm, in accordance with human rights law.
Children of Gaza Crisis
Children are paying the heaviest price as the violence and fighting continue; please donate today to help protect children in Gaza.
An airstrike on a school – serving as a shelter for displaced families – in northern Gaza on a Thursday afternoon in April 2025, where dozens were wounded or killed. Eight-year-old Ghada suffered severe injuries during the attack.
“Ghada was playing with her friends in the shelter. She used to wait for the afternoon every day to gather with her friends and play in the yard — that’s what kids do at this age. But sadly, in a single moment Ghada lost her hand, and she lost her friends,” says Ghada’s father.
How is UNICEF responding in Gaza?
Despite the challenging humanitarian and security situation, UNICEF and partners are actively present in the Gaza Strip providing immediate lifesaving humanitarian services, including:
- Treating children for malnutrition
- Providing access to clean water
- Reuniting children with their families and providing mental health services
- Immunising children against preventable diseases
- Providing temporary learning spaces.
How will my donation help children in Gaza?
Even in the face of an escalating crisis, UNICEF continues to deliver for every child, no matter what.
- $100 could provide 16,667 water purification tablets, each able to create up to 5 litres of clean drinking water.
- $135 could provide 252 sachets of lifesaving therapeutic food that could help treat two children with severe malnutrition.
- $500 could provide an emergency cash transfer for families, helping them meet essential needs. res.
- 80¢on average, 80 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went directly to helping children in need, including long-term programs, emergency response and community education.
- 20¢on average, 14 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went to essential fundraising costs that helped us generate more impact for children, 6 cents went to admin costs, such as keeping your personal data safe.
How do we use each dollar donated?
Your gift will support children impacted by this emergency, and crisis around the world. If you choose to donate monthly or should we receive more funds than is needed for this emergency, your gift will support UNICEF's work where the need is greatest. Find out more about our financial management in our annual report.
Looking for other ways to support children in the Gaza Crisis?
Is UNICEF helping children in Israel?
No matter where they live, a child is a child. UNICEF is calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and for the immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all abducted children, and the prevention and end to any grave violations against children, including killing and injuring children.
In high-income countries like Israel, governments generally have adequate capacity and resources to respond to emergencies. In these countries, UNICEF programs are not required unless requested by the Government, which Israel has not requested.
This UNICEF Australia appeal is specifically for children in Gaza where UNICEF has teams and programs.
Our work to protect and advocate for all children across Israel, Gaza and the West Bank will continue. Every single child, no matter who or where they are, must be protected.
To learn more about the work we do in Israel, please visit: https://www.unicef.org.il/en/faq/
Top image: A young child being treated in a hospital in Gaza after enduring injuries from an airstrike. Photo credit: © UNICEF/UNI774362/Nateel
Fundraising image: An 11-year-old boy's home in Gaza City was partially damaged during recent airstrikes. Photo credit: © UNICEF/UNI448937/Ajjour
Philanthropy image: A 14-year-old boy carries mattresses and blankets on his head while his family follows him to an emergency shelter in the Gaza Strip. Photo credit: © UNICEF/UNI448940/El Baba